²⁵ But Hezekiah’s heart was proud^(A) and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the Lord’s wrath^(B) was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem.

¹⁸ They abandoned^(A) the temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols.^(B) Because of their guilt, God’s anger^(C) came on Judah and Jerusalem.

¹⁶ But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride^(A) led to his downfall.^(B) He was unfaithful^(C) to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense^(D) on the altar of incense.

³¹ But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon^(A) to ask him about the miraculous sign^(B) that had occurred in the land, God left him to test^(C) him and to know everything that was in his heart.

David Enrolls the Fighting Men^(A)

24 Again^(B) the anger of the Lord burned against Israel,^(C) and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of^(D) Israel and Judah.”

¹² three years of famine,^(A) three months of being swept away^[a] before your enemies, with their swords overtaking you, or three days of the sword^(B) of the Lord^(C)—days of plague in the land, with the angel of the Lord ravaging every part of Israel.’ Now then, decide how I should answer the one who sent me.”

¹³ David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy^(D) is very great; but do not let me fall into human hands.”

¹⁴ So the Lord sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead.^{(E) 15} And God sent an angel^(F) to destroy Jerusalem.^(G) But as the angel was doing so, the Lord saw it and relented^(H) concerning the disaster and said to the angel who was destroying^(I) the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.” The angel of the Lord was then standing at the threshing floor of Araunah^[b] the Jebusite.

¹⁶ David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand extended over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown.^(J)

¹⁷ David said to God, “Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I, the shepherd,^[c] have sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep.^(K) What have they done? Lord my God, let your hand fall on me and my family,^(L) but do not let this plague remain on your people.”

¹⁰ You have indeed defeated Edom and now you are arrogant.^(A) Glory in your victory, but stay at home! Why ask for trouble and cause your own downfall and that of Judah also?”

¹⁷ You may say to yourself,^(A) “My power and the strength of my hands^(B) have produced this wealth for me.”

⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves^(A) to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility^(B) toward one another, because,

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.^(D)